Contact: Nicola Horsey, Ext: 5423

1. Summary

1.1. The following decision is sought:-

That, following comments from Cabinet members, approval be given to the brief for a Golden Jubilee Sculpture to be commissioned and erected in Winchester.

2. Reason

2.1. The Asset Management Sub-Committee on 9 July 2001 set up a budget for various County Council Golden Jubilee projects. One of the projects involves commissioning a Golden Jubilee Sculpture. In order to progress this project, the brief to commission the sculpture needs to be approved.

2. Other Options Considered and rejected

Taking no Action

3. Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or a member or officer consulted - Not applicable

4. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable

5. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - Not applicable

Approved by: (signature) Date: (date of decision)

Councillor T.K Thornber

Brief for a Golden Jubilee Sculpture in Winchester

Introduction

Submissions are sought by Hampshire County Council from sculptors based in Hampshire for a sculpture to commemorate the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2001. The likely site will be the area outside the Great Hall near the Castle in Winchester, although this has yet to be finalised. The Council wishes to commission a figurative rather than abstract work which ideally reflects both the fifty year reign of the Queen and also looks at the rich and varied history of Hampshire and its future.

Selection process

Send up to 10 slides of recent work, a CV and a brief statement saying why you are interested in this commission to The Hampshire Sculpture Trust by 20 November. A panel made up of Hampshire County Council staff and advisors will meet to decide which sculptor/s to invite to work up design proposals in response to the site. A design fee - amount to be finalised - will be paid for this work. An initial budget of £15,000 has been identified for this commission, however further funds may be available if the scale or materials of the proposed work requires this.

Shortlisted artists will then be asked to come up with original proposals which respond to the brief. Although the brief is intended to be a flexible one, applicants may find it useful to consider the following themes which have been suggested:

· The Round Table which is housed in Winchester's Great Hall. `King Arthur's Round Table' has been dated to the 13^th or early 14^th century and was constructed within the Hall. Initially it was a standing table with legs, it was then hung on the wall and in 1516 painted with the red and white Tudor rose surmounted by King Arthur on his throne, bearing a striking resemblance to the young Henry V111. The names of 24 of the Knights of the Round Table are written around the edge.

· The Tudor Rose

· Mother and Child

· Image of hands

Some characteristics and information about Hampshire are listed below:

· Chalk downlands, heaths and forests, river valleys, water meadows and 70 miles of coastline.

· Vernacular architecture using flint, timber, timber and thatch.

· The internationally renowed Winchester Cathedral and other Norman buildings such as Romsey Abbey and Portchester Castle.

· Landscaped gardens at Highclere Castle, Hillier Gardens and Arboretum, Staunton Country Park, Havant, Mottisfort Abbey, Marshcourt, near Stockbridge

· Home of the British Army in Aldershot and the Royal Navy.

These themes are not intended to be definitive, but rather as starting points for ideas as there are of course many other aspects to the county of Hampshire not mentioned above.

Hampshire's borders stretch from Havant in the east to include the New Forest in the west and from the cities of Portsmouth and Southampton in the south to Aldershot in the north. It is one of the largest counties in England.

Timescale

The Council wishes to launch the new commission on June 2 2001 to coincide with a County Service in Winchester Cathedral commemorating the Golden Jubilee.

If you would like to discuss the commission further please contact Frances Lord, Director of The Hampshire Sculpture Trust on 01962 877598.

Background Information

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1. Published works.

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

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